Academic Freedom and Responsibility (A-2.5)
Original Implementation: August 1, 2000
Last Revision: April 20, 2010
Institutions of higher education are operated for the common good, which depends upon an uninhibited search for truth and its open expression. Hence, it is essential that all faculty members are free to pursue scholarly inquiry without undue restriction, and to voice and publish individual conclusions concerning the significance of evidence that they consider relevant. All faculty members must be free from the corrosive fear that others, inside or outside the university community, may threaten their professional careers or the material benefits accruing from it.
Faculty members are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing relevant topics and are expected not to introduce matters which have no relation to the classroom subject. Faculty members must be free from institutional censorship or retribution when speaking, writing, or acting in a public capacity and, in such instances, should make it clear that they are not speaking for the institution. Even in public discourse, however, faculty members should adhere to principles of academic responsibility.
The concept of academic freedom for faculty must be accompanied by an equally demanding concept of academic responsibility to the institution, profession, students, and society-at-large. The legally protected rights and privileges of faculty members impose the reciprocal assumption of certain responsibilities, including the following:
- The fundamental responsibilities of faculty members as teachers and scholars include maintaining competence in their fields of specialization and professional behavior. These responsibilities extend to the classroom (face-to-face and online), studio, laboratory, and public arena when engaged in discussions, lectures, consulting, publications, or participation in professional organizations and meetings.
- Since the public may judge the university by statements made by its faculty members, they should strive to be accurate, to exercise restraint, to be willing to listen to and show respect to others expressing different opinions, and to avoid creating the impression that faculty members speak or act on behalf of the university when speaking or acting as private persons.
- The constitutionally protected right of faculty members to freedom of expression must be balanced with the interest of the state in promoting the efficiency of the educational services it performs. The comments of faculty members are protected even though they may be erroneous or critical. However, such statements are not protected free speech if they either substantially impede the performance of their daily duties or materially and substantially interfere with the regular operation of the institution.
- Faculty members should be judicious in the use of controversial material in the classroom and should introduce such material only if it has a clear relationship to the subject field.
Cross Reference: None
Responsible for Implementation: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Contact for Revision: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Forms: None